KAPPA ALPHA PSI

'Kappa Alpha Psi (KAΨ) ' is the second-oldest collegiate Greek-letter fraternity with a predominantly African American membership and the first black intercollegiate fraternity incorporated as a national body. Since the fraternity's founding in 1911 at Indiana University Bloomington, the fraternity has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin. The fraternity has over 105,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the United States, and international chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, Japan, the West Indies and South Africa. Brief info
The president of the national fraternity is known as the Grand Polemarch, who assigns a Province Polemarch for each of the twelve provinces (districts/regions) of the nation. The fraternity has many notable members recognized as leaders in the arts, athletics, business, civil rights, education, government, and science sectors at the local, national and international level. Brief info The ''Kappa Alpha Psi Journal'' is the official magazine of the fraternity since 1914. Bryson 2003, ''op. cit.'', pp. 7-8. The Journal is published four times a year in February, April, October and December. Frank M. Summers was the magazine's first editor and later on became the Fourteenth Grand Polemarch. Bryson 2003, ''op. cit.'', pp. 7-8. The current editor of the magazine is Dr. Keflyn X. Reed. Journal
Kappa Alpha Psi is a major contributor in the fields of political, social, cultural and scholastic achievement. The fraternity sponsors programs providing community service, social welfare and academic scholarship through the ''Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation'' and is a supporter of the United Negro College Fund and Habitat for Humanity. Kappa Alpha Psi is a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). The fraternity is the first predominantly African American Greek-letter society founded west of the Appalachian Mountains still in existence, and is known for its "cane stepping" in NPHC organized step shows.

Contents

History

Founders

Founding

Membership

Scroller Club

Provinces

History of the Kappa Kane

National programs

Guide Right

Kappa League

Student of the Year Competition

Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation

Pan-Hellenic membership

Footnotes

External links

Kappa Alpha Psi

Outside websites

History

Founders

The ten men who founded Kappa Alpha Psi, and were dedicated to the principles of achievement through a truly democratic fraternity are shown below:

Elder Watson Diggs "The Dreamer" (1883-1947)	Dr. Ezra Dee Alexander (1892-1971)	Dr. Byron Kenneth Armstrong (1890-1980)	Atty. Henry Turner Asher (1890-1963)	Dr. Marcus Peter Blakemore (1889-1959)
Paul Waymond Caine (1891-1922)	George Wesley Edmonds (1890-1962)	Dr. Guy Levis Grant (1891-1973)	Edward Giles Irvin (1893-1982)	John Milton Lee (1890-1958)

The founders endeavored to establish the fraternity with a strong foundation before embarking on plans of expansion. By the end of the first year, the ritual was completed, and a design for the coat of arms and motto had begun. Kappa Alpha Psi (ΚΑΨ) Founding History

Founding

The fraternity was founded as Kappa Alpha Nu on the night of January 5, 1911 by ten African-American college students.^[1] The decision upon the name Kappa Alpha Nu may have been to honor the Alpha Kappa Nu club which began in 1903 on the Indiana University campus, but there were too few registrants to assure continuing organization. Bryson 2003, ''op. cit.'', pp. 2.
During this time there were very few African-American students at the predominately white campus at Bloomington, Indiana and they were a small minority due to the era of Jim Crow laws. Many African-American students rarely saw each other on campus and were discouraged or prohibited from attending student functions and extracurricular activities by white college administrators and fellow students. African-American students were denied membership on athletic teams with the exception of track and field. The racial prejudice and discrimination encountered by the founders strengthened their bond of friendship and growing interest in starting a social group. Kappa Alpha Psi (ΚΑΨ) Overview


By 1912, the fraternity expanded with the second undergraduate chapter opened at the University of Illinois—Beta chapter; then the University of Iowa—Gamma chapter. After this, Kappa Alpha Psi chartered undergraduate chapters on Black college campuses at Wilberforce University—Delta Chapter, and Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)—Epilson Chapter. In 1920, Xi Chapter was chartered at Howard University. In 1921, the fraternity installed the Omicron chapter at Columbia University, its first at an Ivy League university. The fraternity's first chapter in the South was established in 1921 at Morehouse College— Pi Chapter. Kappa Alpha Psi expanded through the Midwest, South, and West at both white and black colleges. Bryson 2003, ''op. cit.'', pp. 6-21.
Some believe the Greek letters Kappa Alpha Nu were chosen as a tribute to Alpha Kappa Nu,^[2] but the name became an ethnic slur among racist factions. Founder Elder Watson Diggs, while observing a young initiate compete in a track meet, overheard fans referring to the member as a "kappa alpha nig", and a campaign to rename the fraternity ensued.^[3] The resolution to rename the group was adopted in December 1914, and the fraternity states, "the name acquired a distinctive Greek letter symbol and 'KAPPA ALPHA PSI' thereby became a Greek letter Fraternity in every sense of the designation." Kappa Alpha Psi has been the official name since April 15, 1915.
In 1947, at the Los Angeles Conclave, the National Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi were established as an auxiliary group, which membership comprises of wives or widows of fraternity members. In 1980, the Silhouettes were officially recognized and granted a seat on the Board of Directors of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation. Silhouettes provide support and assistance for the activities of Kappa Alpha Psi at the Grand Chapter, Province and Local levels.^[4]

Membership

Kappa Alpha Psi chapter at Wilberforce, 1922

Kappa Alpha Psi offers undergrad and graduate membership to potential aspirants. For consideration into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on the alumni level, you must possess at least a Bachelors Degree or the equivalent of such a degree from an accredited college or university. For undergraduate membership, you must at least have a 2.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale, to be considered for membership.^[5] Kappa Alpha Psi also prides itself in that it has never bestowed honorary memberships upon anyone.^[6]

Scroller Club at Wilberforce, 1960

Annually more than 1,800 members are initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi. Undergraduate Chapters are located on more than 377 College and University campuses and Alumni Chapters are arrayed in some 367 cities in the United States and 8 foreign countries.^[7] Kappa Alpha Psi's constitution has never contained any clause which either excluded or suggested the exclusion of a man from membership merely because of his color, creed, or national origin.^[8]

Scroller Club

Coat of Arms of the Scroller Club. The colors were green and white.

The Scroller Club was a pledge club of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., that no longer exists today. It was a unit of organization of Kappa Alpha Psi to acquaint pledges with the what, why, how, and by what means of college Greek-lettered organization - in general - and Kappa Alpha Psi in particular. It was hoped that the training would be sufficiently thorough as to prepare each "Scroller" for immediate integration into chapter activities following his initiation.
Pledge clubs had existed from the fraternity's beginning, but it was not until 1919 that the Scroller Club, as such, was introduced by the Zeta Chapter. This was prompted by the sudden increase in pledges soon after the war, and was necessity for thorough, effective, and more or less standardized orientation. At the first meeting, William J. Madison raised the question of an appropriate name. At the second meeting, Elias Tuggle, inspired by the scroll on the Fraternity's badge, proposed the name "Scroller." Bryson 1999, ''op. cit.'', pp. 18. Empirical evidence supports the belief that the Scroller Club of Kappa Alpha Psi was the first entity of its kind to be created by a historically African-American Greek-lettered organization.^[9]
Hazing is illegal and outlawed in many states. The fraternity has never condoned hazing, but were aware of incidents that occurred. Kappa Alpha Psi along with fellow NPHC organizations, in 1990, issued a joint statement announcing the elimination of pledging. The fraternity therefore revised membership development and the intake process and instituted strong policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce and strengthen its stance against prohibited conduct.^[10] The fraternity backed its stance by releasing Executive Order One in 1988, Executive Order Two in 1993, and Executive Order Three in 1994.^[11]

Provinces

Kappa Alpha Psi's International Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1921, the Fraternity was divided into districts as a result of proposed legislation by George F. David II, the third Grand Polemarch. David was first Grand Polemarch who had not been nurtured by the Alpha Chapter under the influence of the Founders, proposed dividing the Fraternity into supervisory districts. The idea originated with his father who was a Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Church and also member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Grand Polemarch David, II implemented the division of the Fraternity into three districts. Past Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong was assigned the first; Harrison R. Duke, the second; and Harold M. Tyler, the third district. The three districts grew into four "regions". Fifth Grand Polemarch Earl B. Dickerson changed the designation of "Region" to "Province" and "Regional Director" to "Province Polemarch" at the 15th Grand Chapter Meeting in 1925. And during the original establishment of provinces, the following provinces were established: Eastern, Middle Eastern, Central, Great Lakes, Northwestern, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Provinces.^[12] Today there are currently 12 provinces and they are:

★ Northern

★ Eastern

★ Southern

★ Western

★ North Central

★ East Central

★ South Central

★ South Western

★ South Eastern

★ Middle Eastern

★ North Eastern

★ Middle Western

History of the Kappa Kane

Kappa initiates carrying their canes at Fisk University in 1968. Cane stepping is an official part of the fraternity.

In the 1950s, as black Greek-letter organizations began the tradition of step shows, the fraternity began using the "Kappa Kane" in what it termed "cane stepping." In the 1960s, the cane was decorated with the fraternity colors, and shortened in the 1970s so brothers could "twirl" and tap the cane in the choreography with high . The national organization did not condone the use of canes in step shows and contended that "the hours spent in step practices by chapters each week would be better devoted to academic or civic achievement." Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Ullysses McBride complained about the vulgar language and obscene gestures sometimes engaged in by cane-stepping participants. The Fraternity succumbed to the pressure of undergraduate chapters in 1986 and added cane stepping as an official item on the Grand Chapter agenda.^[13]

National programs

Guide Right

Guide Right is a program for the educational and occupational guidance of youth, primarily inspirational and informational in character. Its reach extends to high schools and colleges alike. In the latter, giving due attention to the needs of undergraduate Brothers.
Conceived in 1922 by Leon W. Stewart, and suggested at the twelfth Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Guide Right became the Fraternity's National Service Program. Jesse Jerome Peters, later to become the eighth Grand Polemarch, was chairman of the committee, during the administration of W. Ellis Stewart as Grand Polemarch.
Guide Right is administrated by a National Director and a Guide Right Commission. The Guide Right Commission consists of the Director and twelve Province Guide Right Coordinators, one from each Province, appointed by their respective Province Polemarchs. The Director is uniquely qualified to perform the duties of this office and is appointed by the Grand Polemarch. He prepares such directives as are necessary for the successful and efficient observance of this National movement. He also edits and prepares the Manual for the universal use of Undergraduate and Alumni. Guide Right
The programs of Guide Right are "Kappa League," "Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship," "A-MAN,"^[14] and the premier program, "Kamp Kappa," which enables inner city boys to attend camp at Hemlock Overlook Park in Clifton, Virginia.^[15]

Kappa League

The first Kappa League was formed by the Los Angeles (CA) Alumni chapter in 1969 under the direction of Mel Davis. Davis brought the idea to LA from Dayton, OH where he had worked closely with Jay Crosby to expand the guide right activities of Dayton (OH) Alumni chapter. The Kappa League is a series of activities designed to help young high school male students develop their leadership talents. The activities provide both challenging and rewarding experiences to enhance their lives. The goal of the League is to help the students achieve worthy goals for themselves and to make meaningful contributions to their communities. The League includes a series of workshops to achieve its goals. Grand Chapter 2004, ''op. cit.'', pp. 38.

Student of the Year Competition

The Student of the Year Competition is a contest that encompasses six areas deemed critical to a successful life - scholarship, talent, community involvement, poise and appearance, career preparation, and model chapter operation. Each Province sponsors a pageant during its Council. In the year of a Grand Chapter Meeting, the Province winners compete at the Grand Chapter Meeting. The first Student of the Year Pageant was held on May 20, 1972 at Drexel University, under the direction of Mel Davis. The first Pageant at the Grand Chapter Meeting occurred at the 58th Grand Chapter Meeting. Grand Chapter 2004, ''op. cit.'', pp. 38.

Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation

The "Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation," established in 1981, is the philanthropic arm of the fraternity and assists both alumni and undergraduate chapters in support of scholarships, after-school programs, and national projects such as Habitat for Humanity. Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation
The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation was conceived by Dr. Oliver S. Gumbs, the 23rd Grand Polemarch. His dream began to take shape at a May 1982 with the past Grand Polemarchs and the national officers in Washington, DC. He proposed forming a separate 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to accept contributions to finance the headquarter's renovation project. Fraternity members contributing to the new foundation could deduct their donations as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. The Foundation would also accept contributions from individuals, organizations and businesses. Grand Chapter 2004, ''op. cit.'', pp. 38.

Pan-Hellenic membership

The fraternity maintains dual membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).
The NPHC is composed of nine international black Greek-letter sororities and fraternities and promotes interaction through forums, meetings, and other mediums for the exchange of information, and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. National Pan-Hellenic Council Aboutpage
The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience, advancement and growth of the fraternity community, and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions. North American Interfraternity Conference

Footnotes

External links

Kappa Alpha Psi

★ Kappa Alpha Psi Official Homepage website

★ Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation

★ Achievement Academy

★ Executive Order One

★ Executive Order Two

★ Executive Order Three

Outside websites

★ Kappa Alpha Psi Founders

★ History of the Cane